CKNW Editorial

for May 19, 1999.

I am often asked why I sometimes comment in air about CKNW, the station for which I work. Well, I don't work for them ... I have a contract with them. The major part of my mandate is to comment on public affairs and CKNW is a player - a big player - in our community. For many listeners this station has been a big part of their lives for a long time. It is a station which prides itself on showing leadership and courage. And before going further I must say that with all the ups and downs, and there have been plenty of both over the past 15 years, I am very proud to have been with them all that time.

There has never been any doubt in my mind for the past five years or so that this station has been badly managed and this only began to show itself openly when we moved from the New Westminster and Expo sites to downtown. This was a management decision which I vocally and in writing opposed from the start. I am not in management, of course, but it doesn't take an MBA from Harvard to see that taking up the most expensive office space in Vancouver with radio hardware is not too bright. The morale here has been terrible and it's a tribute to all that this didn't show too much to the public.

When John Lacey came on as CEO of WIC I went to him and made it very plain what was wrong as I saw it.It is always sad to see old colleagues leave. When I heard rumours of what was going to happen I was fairy confident that I would be one of the goners and I was prepared for it. After all, I am the oldest on air performer. I'm very sad to lose three off air colleagues particularly - Paul Preston and Glen Livingstone in production who patiently saw me through God only knows how many tapings and ads and Dick DePalma who was always such a happy guy who always seemed to be there with a smile when you felt down.

I am most sad about my old friend Fanny Kiefer. We go back nearly 20 years to CJOR in 1981. She produced my show and shared air time with me briefly at 'OR and she was and remains a real pro. Fanny will be broadcasting somewhere I'm sure as well she should because she is one of the best. I'm also sad to see another female voice removed from our broadcasting. CKNW has not played the leadership role in using female broadcasters and whatever the reason, I'm sore vexed that one of our best broadcasters, especially since she also happens to be a woman, is gone. I might just add that though I've not worked with Ron Barnet for many years I'm sad to see a real class act like him go.

CKNW was due for some big changes and I sense that there may be more to come. This place has been badly managed for a long time and it will take time and effort to get it back where it should be. In saying that I think it's remarkable and in keeping with the NW tradition that the on air quality has been such that we've maintained our top position throughout.

If you think that the following is blowing smoke, you don't know me very well. I have always had a prickly relationship with CKNW and Doug Rutherford is certainly no exception as any who have read my last book will know. But back about 6 or 7 years ago when the top job at CKNW came up, I wrote to Ted Smith, then president of the WIC radio chain, and said in the strongest terms possible that Doug Rutherford ought to be the man to replace Ron Bremner who was off to BCTV. It didn't happen and Doug went our sister station in Edmonton where he did a hell of a good job, as I would have expected. Since January 1st when he took Ted Smith's job, and immediately fired the manager, I knew that CKNW was in for a rough period but that it would be better - much better.

I have no doubt that while it is painful in the extreme to see old friends go - and one's heart goes out to them ... I happen to know exactly how it feels ... while it is sad ... it's clear to me that CKNW is on the right track.

Doug Rutherford and I have had such sterling battles in the past that as a joke we always greet one another, whether in person or on the phone with "bleep you" Mair or "bleep you", Rutherford. But I respect him and have every confidence that with this very sad time behind us, CKNW will get back on the right track. I say that knowing full well that the "bleep you's "will often be said seriously and that I may come back from vacation finding a pink slip on my desk. If that happens, after a "bleep you" Doug, and the mandatory lawsuit accompanied by the usual raucous media extravaganza, life will go one just as it will go on now.

To my fallen comrades I simply say this - you will all be deeply missed. If you're feeling pretty low today, cheer up ... you'll all land on your feet - I can assure you of that. For as I said a moment ago, life does go on and this too will pass.